Referendum 'Extensive, Expensive' and Necessary, Schools Chief Says

Superintendent Carol Grossi of the Hanover Park Regional High School District said while "it's very difficult to go to the public in times like this," she sees no alternative if the district is to keep athletic facilities safe and suitable for student use.

"The reason we are going to referendum is because we cannot support this project in our operating budget," Grossi said. "In order to do this project, we had to go to the public and ask for their support."

During the Board of Education's meeting Wednesday, John Aiden of Florham Park asked the board what happens if the athletic referendum is approved. "When will it start? How long will it take?" he asked.

Grossi said if the referendum passes, Business Administrator William Albert, Jr. and she will begin working with the architect immediately and prepare to put the project out for bid.

The anticipated completion time for the project is August 2014. "That's the estimate, but you never know with building what will happen exactly. We'll be prepared hopefully to cut our ribbon in September at both schools, possibly in October," Grossi said.

If the referendum were not to pass, students would continue to use the fields as they are now, something local officials and school officials agree is untenable.

"We will have to schedule more away activities, fewer home activities," Grossi said. "We will struggle with our grounds and with our scheduling of students on the fields."

Grossi said the district looked at possibilities for the field for a year and decided to act now because construction costs and interest rates were both exceptionally low. "We tried to think smart and do everything at one time," she said.

The risk of doing the project piecemeal is that construction costs and interest rates could begin to climb again. If that happens, the risks are that the athletic improvements, which she views as "necessities," could either pose more of a burden to taxpayers in the long run or not happen altogether.

"Our students are very successful athletically. Our Physical Education program can't use our fields right now because we have to save them for our athletics. What's called the football field now is extremely underutilized because our students can't get on it. They have to save the grass for our football and lacrosse," she said. "The track is falling apart at both schools. You can't touch them anymore."

If the referendum fails, the district will try to continue improving what they can. But Grossi said the expense of the project is an investment for the future and for the students.

"We are looking at a project that is expensive and extensive, but will service us for many, many years," Grossi said.

Included in the Referendum

Under the refurbishment plans, both fields will be replaced with synthetic turf which will accommodate boys and girls soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, football and field hockey.

Each field will also get a new rubberized D-zone behind the goal posts and a new track with eight lanes, which will enable the schools to host county meets.

Schools will also get new ADA-accessible bleachers, new scoreboards, new sound systems, a new press box above the home bleachers, new lighting with less spillage into the surrounding community, new lights at each end of the fields, new lacrosse goals and nettings and a new field house with locker rooms, concession stands and ADA-accessible bathrooms.

Hanover Park High will also get one new tennis court for a total of five courts.

The Vote and the Impact

A table showing the estimated tax impacts to East Hanover, Florham Park and Hanover is below.

If the referendum vote passes, it will give $17.5 million for the project. A breakdown of the costs is outlined in a PDF on the district website.

The vote is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 12.

A simple majority in the polls Tuesday—50 percent plus one vote—is needed for the referendum to pass. Any fewer than that, even a tie, and the vote will fail, Albert said.